What is a river?
Rivers are bodies of fresh water that flow to the sea because of gravity. They can be very different from each other and they are essential for life. Some rivers flow quickly, others more slowly. Some rivers are narrow streams; others are so wide (like the Mississipi) that you cannot see from one side to the other.
Rivers are often beautiful. They are great for kayaking or just swimming. Rivers are homes for animals and plants. They are very important in our lifes because without rivers we could not drink fresh water.
It is important that you know your rivers, take care of them and visit them sometime with your family. It’s a great plan.
Pollution is a problem in many of our rivers. Factories pour their waste into them which contains harmful chemicals. Farmers also pollute rivers. The fertilizers they use on crops end up into the rivers when it rains.
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| Parts of a river including dams |
Source: where a river begins.
Waterfalls: a steep descent of the water of a river.
Flood: the rising of a river and its overflowing onto normally dry land.
Tributary: a branch that flows into the main stream.
Gravity: force that causes water to flow in a certain direction.
Dam: a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water. Normally it has a power station.
Reservoir: a lake in a river produced by a dam.
Mouth: where the river begins
Estuary: a water passage where the tide meets the river current.
Marsh: an area that has water and land. For example: Tablas de Daimiel.
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| Parts of a river |
Cantabrian watershed: rivers are close to the coast. They are short and fast flowing. There is a lot of rain. They have permanent flow. Bidasoa, Nervión, Ibaizábal, Asón, Miera, Pas, Saja, Nansa, Deva Sella, Nalón, Navia and Eo.
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| River Asón in Cantabria |
Atlantic watershed: here we have rivers that flow into the Atlantic Sea. There are two types:
a) The ones that flow into galician’s coast. They have an abundant flow. They are long because the mountains are far away from the coast. Miño, Tambre and Ulla.
b) Rivers from the Central Plateau: these are the longest in Spain. Their source is in the mountains close to the mediterranean. They have irregular flow. Duero, Tajo, Guadiana and Guadalquivir.
Mediterranean watershed: They are short rivers because the mountains where they are born are close to the sea. They have irregular flow. There are dry periods and periods with heavy raining that cause floods. The Ebro is the exception. Ebro, Turia, Júcar and Segura.
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| Map of the different watersheds in Spain |
I hope you enjoy learning about rivers. If you want to know more
clic here.
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| Blackboard |
